Segway has made a go-kart and it's awesome

Everybody's heard of Segway. Whether you’ve used them to commute (people do it, trust us), head off on off-road adventures or join in one of those organised and embarrassing Segway tours on an overpriced city break, the cool executive toy is now a household name in unnecessary gadgets.

Well, unnecessary no more, as Segway-Ninebot has now introduced a go-kart, and you have to have it. Twice the wheels – twice the fun. 

The kart is made up of a detachable Segway miniPRO 320 combined with a go-kart kit. The kit’s frame can be adjusted to fit riders from 4’5” to 6’3” with a maximum payload of 100kg. Fun for all the family, then. 

The real excitement of the Segway-Ninebot Electric Gokart, though, is the mechanical handbrake, meaning proper drifting and sliding about is not just doable but encouraged. A reverse gear is also fitted, activated with just a double tap of the brake pedal. 

It has two motors with a maximum 800w power, meaning a 15mph top speed, although this can be restricted if youngsters are behind the wheel. In Sport mode, range is eight miles, although the Novice mode – with a maximum 5mph speed – can keep going for 12 miles. It’s the tortoise and the hare conundrum. Except it’s not. Go for the Sport.

It connects to an app to display speeds and battery range, while also allowing you to change the lighting and update the firmware. Plus, it folds up to stick in the boot for further-afield racing.

Tempted? It’s currently being promoted by Segway through the crowd-funding site Indiegogo, although is listed as in the fully-production stage. Earlybird pricing means you can secure your full gokart from $1,149, or just $669 if you already have the mini Segway. See you at the start line…